I just replaced my bulb.  I used needle nosed pliers to tug the levers off.
The plate is held on by two push-in plugs.  Use a wide screwdriver and
gently pry the plate until you see where the plugs are, and then concentrate
there.
Replacement plates are <$10 on eBay, worst case.
I found that the bulb holder on the plate and the identical ones used in
other places, was burnt and needed replacing.  The bulbs are difficult to
remove.  Bulb holder $2 from friendly VW dealer.

Geoff Thomas
'88 Westy, (illuminated)

-----Original Message-----
From: JordanVw@AOL.COM [mailto:JordanVw@AOL.COM]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 8:13 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Heater lever removal question

In a message dated 3/25/04 6:44:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,
felder@KNOLOGY.NET writes:

> Heater lever cover removal... I want to replace the light bulb behind
> it on my westy. I looked up removal in the Bentley, and it says "pull
> off."
>
> That's one thing to say, but removing them seems like I'm destroying
> something. The archives have been percolating for 15 minutes without
> yielding results (ISP has been troublesome today) so I thought I'd
> cross my fingers for a quick answer.
>
>

there are plastic tabs in upper right and lower left..carefullu pry them out
w. thin flathead..otherwise you'll snap them off

chris